Can Integrated Ultrasound/Photoacoustic Systems Deliver on the Promise of Molecular Medicine?

For over two decades, microbubble-based contrast agents have been used extensively in biomedical ultrasound. Recent advances in molecular engineering have produced microbubbles targeted to specific molecular biomarkers, especially in the vasculature. Over the same period, parallel advances have been made in the field of photoacoustics in which molecular processes can be directly probed using the mechanism of optical absorption with ultrasonic (US) readout similar to a conventional real-time imaging system. Photacoustics (PA) brings molecular sensitivity to US imaging for many biomedical applications using nano-scale, bioconjugated contrast agents. In addition, both US and PA agents can potentially be used for molecularly-targeted therapies, opening the possibility for molecular theranostics using integrated US/PA systems.

Although much progress has been made in recent years, there is still not a routine clinical procedure using US/PA for molecular theranostics. If recent advances in molecular engineering and molecular biomarker discovery are to be exploited for real clinical applications, many US/PA technologies must be translated into clinical tools. In this talk, we will explore recent advances in the field and discuss current obstacles to clinical translation. Finally, we will discuss how US/PA molecular theranostic technologies can accelerate the transition to personalized medicine and effective healthcare delivery.

Bio: Following undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral training at Notre Dame and Washington University in St. Louis, Dr. O’Donnell joined General Electric Corporate Research and Development Center in Schenectady, NY in 1980, where he worked on medical electronics, including MRI and ultrasound imaging systems. In 1990, he moved to University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI where he held appointments in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science and in Biomedical Engineering. In 1998, he was named the Jerry W. and Carol L. Levin Professor of Engineering. From 1999-2006 he also served as Chair of the Biomedical Engineering Department. In 2006 he moved to the University of Washington in Seattle, WA where he was the Frank and Julie Jungers Dean of Engineering from 2006-2012. He is now Frank and Julie Jungers Dean Emeritus and a Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington. His most recent research has explored new imaging modalities, including elasticity imaging, in vivo microscopy, optoacoustic devices, photoacoustic contrast agents for molecular imaging and therapy, laser ultrasound systems, and catheter-based devices. He has won numerous awards, including the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Notre Dame, the Achievement Award from the IEEE-UFFC Society and the William J. Morlock Award for Excellence in Biomedical Technology from the IEEE-EMBS Society. He is a fellow of the IEEE and AIMBE and is a member of the Washington State Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering.

Molecular Engineering and Sciences Seminar Series

This weekly seminar brings together students, faculty and invited guests from various disciplines across campus to explore current trends in molecular engineering and nanotechnology. It is a forum for active interdisciplinary discussions. These talks are open to the public and attract a diverse audience of students and faculty.